
What if VP Sara will resign during the Impeachment Trial? Two possible scenarios.
Summary of Past Precedents
Historically, Philippine officials facing impeachment who chose to resign saw their cases dropped, leaving them legally free to seek office again:
President Joseph Estrada (2001): Resigned during his impeachment trial. Because he was never convicted by the Senate impeachment court, he was legally permitted to run for President again in the 2010 elections.
COMELEC Chairman Andres Bautista (2017) & Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez (2011): Both resigned while facing impeachment proceedings. Their cases were dropped, and neither faced a disqualification penalty.